Free The Stranger From The Sea by Winston Graham

know whether to be more overcome by your splendid Generosity or by your quite improper Presumption. Regarding the former, I must confess that my reunion with my hunter was of a touching nature which could not have left a dry eye, had there been an eye to see. Regarding the latter, my over-impulsive decision to sell Dundee was largely inspired by a wish to put behind me certain unpleasant Memories which this horse will always invoke - more so, certainly, than by any conscientious or earnest wish to see my husband's Creditors utterly satisfied.
    However, since your act can only have been inspired by kindness of heart, and since I regretted the sale as soon as it had gone through, I am indebted to you, Sir George, for enabling me to recover my best Hunter in such an agreeable and untedious way. My indebtedness, naturally, can only be Moral, and not Financial, and I am accordingly enclosing my Draft on Messrs Coode's Bank of Penzance for one hundred and fifty guineas. Should you have had to pay more than this from the anaemic, prating fellow who bought it at the auction, pray tell me the amount and I will reimburse you further.
    Again thanking you, I am, Sir George, Yours etc.
    Harriet Carter.
     
    George read the letter almost as often as he had drafted his original note. After leaving it a day he wrote back.
     
    Dear Lady Harriet,
    I am happy to have your letter of the 19th and to learn from it that, even though I may have been presumptuous in returning your horse without your prior permission and consent, yet that I did not err in supposing this reunion to be something you desired in your Heart. Indeed it is a compliment to me to know that I estimated your feelings rightly.
    But, since this was intended as a Gift - a light Gift and to be treated lightly but not to be rejected - I am distressed that you should deplete my pleasure by more than the half in introducing the question of Payment. If it is more blessed to give than to receive, then I do not think you should take away from me the greater part of the beatitude. I venture to return your Draft, and have the honour to subscribe myself, madam.
    Your humble and obedient servant,
    George Warleggan.
     
    There was a week's delay, then a note came back.
     
    Dear Sir George,
    Did I not in my first letter speak of your improper presumption? - the cause of the offence lying in the greatness of the Gift: from a gentleman to a lady of the briefest Acquaintance. How much more improper, therefore, would it be for the lady to connive at such presumption. I am therefore returning the Draft to you again, and beg of you, if you value that little friendship we have so far achieved, not to return it a second time.
    Riding Dundee yesterday, it seemed to me that the change of Ownership, brief though it had been, and his sudden and unexpected return to me, had in part at least purged out association of its ugly memories, and that my obligation to you was therefore the More. So let it be. The thought is all.
    I am, sir, yours etc. Harriet Carter.
     
    George waited a few days. He made no attempt to pay in the draft, and had no intention of doing so - at present. But it did cross his mind that this way he might hedge his bets and, as it were, get the best of both worlds.
    Eventually he wrote again:
     
    Dear Lady Harriet,
    So let it be. The thought is all. But since the greatness of my presumption lies in the smallness of our Acquaintanceship, might not the error be atoned for in some part by a resumption of that Acquaintance, thereby reducing by each meeting some of my offence? In such a way Acquaintanceship may become Friendship, and, as we are now neighbours - or would be in a county of larger estates - this is surely no more than a natural progression? Would you permit me to call?
    I am, dear Lady Harriet,
    Your humble servant and admirer, George Warleggan.
     
    George read this through many times before he sent it. He thought: what phrasing; how I have progressed! Twenty years ago I would